Key Facts: Uganda vs Italy Wages
- Uganda Minimum Wage
- UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD)
- Italy Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Uganda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UGX1,500,000 /mo ($424.33 USD)
- Italy Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,600 /mo ($3,027.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Policies (Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali) (2026-02-24)
Uganda
Italy
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Italy, which has no statutory minimum wage, Uganda mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $424/mo in Uganda versus $3,028/mo in Italy, a 7.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Italy is 18.9x that of Uganda, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Uganda has lower GDP per capita ($3,273 vs $62,014). Uganda's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Italy's 6.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Uganda | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | UGX750 $0.21 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | UGX130,000 $36.78 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | UGX1,560,000 $441.30 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | UGX1,500,000 /mo $424.33 | €2,600 /mo $3,027.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | UGX1,275,000 /mo $360.68 | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 |
| Median individual income /yr | UGX3,600,000 /yr $1,018.39 | €22,500 /yr $26,202.40 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Uganda is higher.
Work Week
- Uganda
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.
- Italy
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Legislative Decree 66/2003). Maximum average weekly hours including overtime is 48 hours over a 4-month reference period, per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime compensation is regulated by collective agreements, typically 15-30% surcharge depending on hours and sector.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Uganda mandates 48 hours while Italy mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Italy's perspective: Italy vs Uganda
Compare Uganda with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Uganda or Italy?
In Uganda, the minimum wage is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD). In Italy, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Uganda compared to Italy?
The average gross salary in Uganda is UGX1,500,000/mo ($424.33 USD), compared to €2,600/mo ($3,027.83 USD) in Italy. In USD terms, workers in Uganda earn approximately 614% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uganda and Italy is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Italy earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Uganda.
How do work hours compare between Uganda and Italy?
Uganda has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Italy. Workers in Uganda work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Italy working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Uganda and Italy?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Italy has the higher GDP per capita at $62,014, which is 18.9x that of Uganda at $3,273. From Uganda's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.